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Generations of Boardshorts

Generations

Boardshorts aren’t just for surfing. They’re for going, doing, eating, drinking, sleeping, living. They’re for anytime, everywhere. And since you’re busy with all that, you need three things: style, comfort and the right amount of tech. That’s how we evolve while staying true to Quiksilver’s original vision.

True to the original vision means mixing style and innovation. It means creating generation-defining designs and using materials that are more comfortable than anything you’ve felt before. It means fusing performance with art.

Our philosophy is to keep on innovating. To keep pursuing new materials and new designs. Because, to us, it’s never been about just making boardshorts. It’s been about using boardshorts to enhance the surfing lifestyle and experience.

Our Highline boardshorts are made with Diamond Deluxe fabric, which puts comfort first. They’re low-friction. They’re fast-drying. They feel amazing on the skin and even better in the water.

A new millennium. A new era — one that’s centered around technology. It was out with the below-the-knee, loud and lucid look of the ‘90s. In with the more refined aesthetic of the 2000s. It was also time to really focus on innovation. And why not? We had, after all, survived Y2K.

This decade spawned lots of new boardshort fabrics. Stretch became king and Quiksilver came out with Diamond Dobby, which limited rash by exposing your skin to 30% less fabric. Welcome to the future. Make yourself comfortable.

Fashion-wise, there was a lot of deja vu in the ‘90s. For example, Slater’s famous Star Trunks were only slightly different from a 1978 design — they were simply reinterpreted with modern materials.

“I don’t want it to be so long that it binds over my knees. This ain’t the early ‘90s anymore”Kelly Slater

Oh, the ‘90s. Where neon died and grunge was born. Cool time, right? Maybe not. “It wasn’t about how cool you were,” says Matt Hoy. “Nobody was trying to be anybody or anything like that. It was all about being yourself and owning it.”

Boardshorts went from being so short you’d be falling out of them to being so long you’d catch your knees on them and trip. But all that changed birthed the general shape the boardshorts are today.

Intentional or not, there was a lot of coolness hidden in the drastic diversity of the ‘90s. And if any of it proves anything, it’s that sometimes the in-between moments are when everything feels just right.

"In those days, the image was no image. We were rock n rolling".Matt Hoy

Boardshorts in the ‘80s took a sharp turn from the modest days of the ‘70s. This was largely due to a movement called Echo Beach — a wild few years when Newport Beach turned into an eclectic carnival that changed professional surfing for good.

In all of its neon glory, the ‘80s marked the first time surfers could make a career out of getting their photos ran in magazines. The “photo pro” was born and a whole lot of personality came with it.

‘80s boardshorts defied the very concept of boring. They featured colors bright enough to blind the sun, lengths that avoided the knee like a plague, tight fits and patterns that were half pop, half art and all in your face.

“It was colorful and fun, and it was all centered around making people happy. That’s what surfing is all about.”Danny Kwok

The ‘70s were simpler times in terms of boardshorts. Most people had one pair. Most pairs lasted a year. But there was only one best. As Mark Richards puts it, “I got my first pair of Quiksilver boardshorts in 1970 and I remember thinking they were revolutionary.”

Back then, revolutionary meant a waistband that fit right and a scallop design to prevent them from getting hung up. In those days, there were plenty of people making boardies but nobody was really getting it right. Until Quik came along.

As the story goes, MR had Alan Green and John Law custom build a pair of boardshorts. “I got to pick my own colors and they would custom make them to my design. They may look a bit short and tight by today’s standards, but that was the height of fashion back then.”

“In those days, I would get one pair of boardshorts and wear them for an entire year.”Mark Richards

This is where Quiksilver began. Right here, in a small garage in Torquay, Australia. We were driven by boards, doctoring up shorts, dedicated to creating something that had never before been seen.

A short that was that was made to surf in — really made to surf in. Something that would work with you in the water and embody all the youth, excitement and creative energy that makes surfing what it is. We needed something original.

And so Alan Green and John Law made the first pair of Quiksilver boardshorts right here in 1969. Little did he know what would come of it all.

This is where Quiksilver began...

Generations - Authentic never fades

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Your personal information will be processed by BOARDRIDERS Europe in accordance with BOARDRIDERS Europe Privacy Policy for the purpose of providing you with our products and services and to keep you informed on our news and collections in connection with our brand QUIKSILVER. You may unsubscribe at any time if you no longer wish to receive information or offers from one of our brands. You may also request to access, correct, or delete your personal information.

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